Fergie boosted by Hargreaves after Carrick blow

Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed Owen Hargreaves could be back in action faster than he originally thought.

The Manchester United midfielder was forced to have an injection to ease a tendinitis problem that has dogged him throughout the early stages of his Old Trafford career.

Ferguson stated on Tuesday night, in the aftermath of United's Champions League win over Roma, that Hargreaves would be missing for at least four weeks, ruling him out of England's Euro 2008 double-header with Estonia and Russia, plus a series of key club games, including the trip to Dynamo Kiev on October 23.

However, the Red Devils chief now feels Hargreaves' return could be slightly more speedy.

While this is not going to be of much use to England coach Steve McClaren, Ferguson's need for the 26-year-old is acute given Michael Carrick has been ruled out for six weeks with a fractured elbow.

"It may be a bit less than four weeks," Ferguson told Manchester United Radio. "Owen should be back training in about 10 days' time, which is good news because he hasn't had the best of luck.

"But, having the injection has been successful."

It is possible Hargreaves, who has managed just three Premier League games so far since his £18million summer switch from Bayern Munich, could be in contention to face Aston Villa on October 20.

Certainly, with Carrick out, it would give Ferguson a welcome option in central midfield, where Paul Scholes is currently his only fit player.

"Losing Michael Carrick was a bad blow," said Ferguson. "I went to shake his hand at the end of the game on Tuesday and he couldn't lift his arm.

"I knew he was in pain, so we sent him for an X-ray and it confirmed it was a broken arm.

"It's a blow especially as his last three performances have been spot on. "That was the Michael Carrick of last season. I thought he had a slow start to the campaign, but he was gathering momentum again. He was superb against Chelsea, Birmingham and Roma."

With Carrick and Hargreaves both missing tomorrow's encounter with Wigan, when victory will take United to the Premier League summit for the first time this season, Ferguson must decide who should partner Scholes.

"I still have options," he reflected.

"I can bring Ryan Giggs into midfield, or young Anderson, and John O'Shea can also play there, so I am not too bad."